Khodakov Khaim Mordechai Ayzik (1902, Beshankovichi, Vitebsk Governorate — 1993, New York) — civic figure, organiser and leader of the Jewish education system of the Lubavitch movement, head of the secretariat staff of the seventh Lubavitch Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson for over 40 years. In 1904, moved with his parents to Riga. From a young age, was distinguished by exceptional devotion to Torah study and piety. Studied chemistry at the University of Latvia. Being a born educator and pedagogue, at the age of 18 was appointed director of the school “Torah ve-Derekh Eretz,” founded by M. Dubin and the well-known Jewish figure Rabbi Baranchik in Riga. For many years, was chairman of the Agudas Israel youth centre. Co-founder of “Folks Haym” — the new “Shomrei Shabbat” movement in Latvia. Honorary secretary of “Agudat Rabbanim” — the rabbis' council from 1931; member of the city council from Agudas Israel. In 1931, was elected to the Riga Municipal Council; and in 1934, after the governmental coup, was appointed on the recommendation of M. Dubin as head of the Jewish education department of the Latvian Ministry of Education. When the sixth Lubavitch Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson arrived from Russia in Riga in 1928, Kh. joined his staff. In 1940, when the sixth Rebbe fled to the USA, Kh. and his wife were among the few invited to join him. In New York, on the Rebbe's instructions he directed several areas of the Lubavitch movement. In 1950, when Menachem Mendel Schneerson became the head of the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement, Kh. became head of his staff and chief of the secretariat. He was appointed director of Agudat Chasidei Chabad, the worldwide network of Lubavitch organisations and institutions. Buried at the old Montefiore Cemetery near the grave of the sixth Rebbe.

Lit.: Di Yiddishe Heim, Lubavitch-Habad. New York, 1993.

Ivar Brod